Two examples of energy reduction activities were cited for the plant. Its projects include the collection of rainwater used to irrigate the plant’s grounds and usingend-of-life hybrid vehicle batteries to power operations and provide back-up powerduring emergencies.

Total energy savings at Toyota's 14 North American plants over the past decade is equal to nearly 11 billion kilowatt hours of energy. That's enough to power almost 400,000 average U.S. households for a year.

Toyota's Huntsville plant also was recognized for reducing energy use by 14 percent per unit produced in one year.